Deck 14: Language and Delivery

Question 1

Which of the following presentation situations is best suited for extemporaneous delivery?

A) In the middle of a staff meeting, your boss tells you to summarize the status of a project you are working on. You didn't intend to make this presentation today.
B) You are scheduled to conduct a workshop for your coworkers on how to use the company's new email system. You have a month to prepare for the workshop.
C) Because of your great success, you have been invited to be the commencement speaker at your former high school's graduation ceremony. The local newspaper will print your address the day after the ceremony.
D) All of the above are suitable.
E) None of the above are suitable.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

In general, the most effective rate of speaking is ________ words per minute.

A) below 125
B) 125-145
C) 145-180
D) 180-200
E) more than 200

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The most common form for delivering a presentation is _________ speaking.

A) impromptu
B) extemporaneous
C) manuscript
D) memorized
E) PowerPoint

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which language strategy is used in the following example? "All the world's a stage." (Shakespeare, As You Like It, Act 2)

A) alliteration
B) repetition
C) metaphor
D) concrete words
E) informal colloquial expressions

Question 5

Which language strategy is used in the following example? "Prior planning prevents poor performance."

A) alliteration
B) repetition
C) metaphor
D) concrete words
E) informal colloquial expressions

Question 6

Which language strategy is used in the following example? " . . . I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream." (Martin Luther King, Jr. 1963)

A) alliteration
B) repetition
C) metaphor
D) concrete words
E) informal colloquial expressions

Question 7

Which of the following presentation situations is best suited for manuscript delivery?

A) In the middle of a staff meeting, your boss tells you to summarize the status of a project you are working on. You didn't intend to make this presentation today.
B) You are scheduled to conduct a workshop for your coworkers on how to use the company's new email system. You have a month to prepare for the workshop.
C) Because of your great success, you have been invited to be the commencement speaker at your former high school's graduation ceremony. The local newspaper will print your address the day after the ceremony.
D) All of the above are suitable.
E) None of the above are suitable.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is an advantage of extemporaneous delivery?

A) It seems spontaneous but is well prepared and well rehearsed.
B) It allows for more eye contact than any other delivery mode.
C) It provides an opportunity to choose more concise and eloquent language.
D) It can prevent you from making extensive changes in content.
E) All of the above are advantages of extemporaneous delivery.

Question 9

Alliteration refers to the repetition of

A) sounds at the beginning of words.
B) sounds in the middle or words.
C) sounds at the end of words.
D) similar sounding words within a sentence.
E) all of the above .

Question 10

Effective breath control enables a presenter to achieve all of the following benefits except

A) speak with more volume.
B) say more in a single breath.
C) reduce the likelihood of sounding harsh.
D) reduce the likelihood of breathiness.
E) Effective breath control accrues all of the above benefits.

Question 11

Speaking style refers to how you use _____________ to express a message.

A) vocabulary
B) sentence structure and sentence length
C) grammar and syntax
D) rhetorical language devices
E) all of the above

Question 12

The clear speaking style uses

A) short, simple, and direct words and phrases.
B) concrete words.
C) active verbs.
D) plain language.
E) all of the above.

Question 13

Which of the following statements is an advantage of manuscript delivery?

A) It can prevent you from making extensive changes in content.
B) It allows for more eye contact than any other delivery mode.
C) It provides an opportunity to choose more concise and eloquent language.
D) It allows for more freedom of movement.
E) It seems spontaneous but is well prepared and well rehearsed.

Question 14

If you use note cards to deliver a presentation, the note cards should

A) record your speech in complete sentences.
B) have small print to maximize the amount of information you can put on each card.
C) be numbered.
D) use one card for the introduction, one card for the body of the presentation, and one card for the conclusion.
E) have information on both sides of each card.

Question 15

Which of the following presentation situations is best suited for impromptu speaking?

A) In the middle of a staff meeting, your boss tells you to summarize the status of a project you are working on. You didn't intend to make this presentation today.
B) You are scheduled to conduct a workshop for your coworkers on how to use the company's new email system. You have a month to prepare for the workshop.
C) Because of your great success, you have been invited to be the commencement speaker at your former high school's graduation ceremony. The local newspaper will print your address the day after the ceremony.
D) All of the above are suitable.
E) None of the above are suitable.

Question 16

The clear speaking style and oral speaking style differ. In addition to all the characteristics of the clear style, the oral style uses

A) more vivid and powerful words.
B) more personal pronouns and informal colloquial expressions.
C) more frequent repetition of sounds, words, and phrases.
D) more rhyme and rhythm.
E) more poetic and expressive language.

Question 17

Which language strategy is used in the following example? "An iron curtain has descended across the Continent." (Winston Churchill, 1946)

A) alliteration
B) repetition
C) metaphor
D) concrete words
E) informal colloquial expressions

Question 18

All of the following techniques can help you ensure that your voice is loud enough to heard by audience members except

A) adjust your volume to the number of people in your audience.
B) practice your presentation in a room about the same size as the one in which you will be speaking.
C) ask a friend to sit in a far corner of the room where you will be speaking and report back on your volume.
D) imagine you are at a noisy sports event and trying to be heard by a player or coach from where you are sitting in the stands.
E) use effective breath control to put more power and volume in your voice.

Question 19

A presentation delivered from a prepared outline or a set of notes is known as _________ speaking.

A) impromptu
B) extemporaneous
C) manuscript
D) memorized
E) PowerPoint

Question 20

The CORE speaking styles are

A) clear, oral, rhetorical, and eloquent.
B) concise, oral, repetitive, and elegant.
C) correct, oral, rhetorical, and easy-to-understand.
D) communicative, open, reasoned, and eloquent.
E) contextual, other-oriented, rational, and expressive.

Question 21

In general, type size for software-generated presentation slides should be no smaller than ____ points.

A) 12
B) 16
C) 20
D) 24
E) 36

Question 22

Tierra is planning a presentation on the stock market. She wants to show her audience trends in the market since the beginning of the decade. What type of presentation aid would most likely meet Tierra's needs?

A) graph
B) pie chart
C) text chart
D) map
E) drawing

Question 23

Eye contact accrues all of the following benefits except

A) ensuring that you look at audience members throughout most of your presentation.
B) helping you to initiate and control the communication situation.
C) enhancing your credibility.
D) interpreting valuable audience feedback.
E) eye contact accrues all of the above benefits.

Question 24

In order to find your optimum vocal pitch, sing up the musical scale from the lowest note you can sing. Then,

A) sing the highest note you can and find the pitch between your low and high pitch limits.
B) sing up one octave to reach your optimum pitch.
C) sing up to the 20th or 21st note to reach your optimum pitch.
D) sing up to the eighth or ninth note to reach your optimum pitch.
E) sing up to the fifth or sixth note to reach your optimum pitch.

Question 25

In general, pie charts and _________ are effective ways to show an audience "how much."

A) graphs
B) tables
C) diagrams
D) illustrations
E) maps

Question 26

Dan is preparing a presentation to his company's five vice presidents in which he will show how much of his total budget is devoted to different functions in his department. What type of presentation aids would best meet Dan's needs?

A) photograph
B) pie chart
C) text chart
D) map
E) drawing

Question 27

The eye scan technique is a method for maximizing eye contact when

A) speaking extemporaneously.
B) speaking off the cuff.
C) a presentation is memorized.
D) using a manuscript.
E) trying to see audience members at the back of a room.

Question 28

What does the recommendation "touch, turn, talk" mean as a strategy for using presentations aids?

A) Touch one or two audience members to show your interest, turn back to the podium, then talk.
B) Touch your notes to make sure they're in place, turn on the microphone, then talk.
C) Touch your presentation aid or equipment to make sure it's working, turn on the equipment, then talk.
D) Touch your presentation aid with your hand or a pointer, turn to your audience, then talk.
E) None of the above answers accurately describes this recommendation.

Question 29

Which of the following eye contact techniques should you use when speaking to an audience?

A) Look over and between the heads of audience members
B) Focus on a spot in the back of the room or auditorium
C) Imagine that the members of your audience are naked
D) Look at audience members the same as you would when talking to friends or coworkers.
E) All of the above are effective eye contact techniques.

Question 30

All of the following techniques can help improve your effectiveness when using a microphone except

A) testing the microphone before your audience arrives.
B) holding the microphone approximately five to ten inches from your mouth.
C) tapping the microphone to make sure it's still working right before you begin speaking.
D) holding a hand-held microphone below your mouth and chin.
E) focusing on your audience, not the microphone.

Question 31

__________ refers to a change in pitch within a word or group of words that adds emphasis or meaning.

A) Dialect
B) Accent
C) Inflection
D) Fluency
E) Articulation

Question 32

Which aspect of physical delivery is the primary source of an audience's information about you?

A) eye contact
B) facial expression
C) gestures
D) posture
E) movement

Question 33

At your optimum pitch, your voice will

A) be stronger and less likely to fade at the end of sentences.
B) not tire easily.
C) will be more expressive and energetic.
D) be less likely to sound harsh, hoarse, or breathy.
E) exhibit all of the above.

Question 34

If the purpose of your presentation is to demonstrate how to separate egg whites from the yellow egg yolks, which of the following presentation aids would be the least effective?

A) live demonstration
B) still photos of each step
C) slides listing and describing each step
D) an animated cartoon demonstrating the proper technique
E) a photo of an egg followed by a photo of the yolk and egg whites

Question 35

The National Speakers Association surveyed nearly 4,000 members about the skills they rely on for success. Which skill came out first in importance?

A) effective vocal delivery
B) effective physical delivery
C) effective practice
D) effective use of presentation aids
E) effective extemporaneous speaking

Question 36

Which presentation aid shows "how things work?"

A) pie charts and tables
B) text charts and graphs
C) tables and graphs
D) tables and diagrams
E) diagrams and illustrations

Question 37

Your textbook presents a list of effective techniques for practicing your presentation. Which of the following answers is not an effective method?

A) Use practice sessions to repeat your entire presentation over and over again.
B) Unless memorization is required, do not memorize your presentation.
C) Time your practice session and understand that your actual presentation will take longer.
D) Schedule brief 5- to 10-minute sessions in which you practice small segments of your presentation.
E) Audiotape and, if possible, videotape your practice sessions.

Question 38

When standing in front of an audience, which of the following positions or postures should you avoid?

A) stand straight but not rigid
B) lock your knees
C) place your feet about a foot apart
D) lean forward a bit
E) all of the above

Question 39

All of the following strategies and techniques can help improve the effectiveness of your gestures in a presentation except

A) link your gestures to the meaning of words, displayed objects, and concepts.
B) plan and practice every gesture.
C) adjust your gestures to the context (place, situation, and occasion).
D) use natural gestures.
E) allow your gestures to emerge spontaneously.

Question 40

Speaking style refers to how you use vocabulary, sentence structure and length, grammar and syntax, and language devices to express a message.

Question 41

Whereas the characteristics of the clear style apply to both speaking and writing, the oral style includes features that encourage presenters to speak the way they talk rather than the way they usually use language when writing.

Question 42

The CORE speaking styles build upon one another with the clear style coming first and concluding with the rhetorical style that builds upon the first three styles.

Question 43

Typically, presentation anxiety is very low when a speaker is asked to speak impromptu.

Question 44

You can plan the words for a presentation that is read or memorized but not for a presentation that uses a limited number of notes or an outline as a speaking guide.

Question 45

Although manuscript delivery allows a presenter to choose concise and eloquent language and to feel more relaxed by speaking from a script, it also reduces the amount of eye contact with audience members and is difficult to modify or adapt to audience feedback.

Question 46

Manuscript speaking allows more audience interaction and adaptation than the extemporaneous and memorized modes of delivery.

Question 47

The textbook identifies repetition and metaphors as two language strategies that are characteristic of the rhetorical style.

Question 48

Extemporaneous speaking is the most common form of presentation delivery.

Question 49

Manuscript speaking combines the advantages of impromptu and memorized delivery.

Question 50

Although it can be difficult to estimate speaking time and difficult to choose words that make a presentation eloquent, extemporaneous speaking allows a presenter to monitor and adapt to audience feedback.

Question 51

Eloquent language does not have to be flowery or grand; it can use an oral style, personal pronouns, and devices such as repetition and metaphors.

Question 52

The CORE speaking styles build upon one another with the clear style coming first and concluding with the eloquent style that builds upon the first three styles.

Question 53

"You are the wind beneath my wings" (from The Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler) is a metaphor.

Question 54

If you use manuscript delivery, staple the pages of the manuscript together so you don't read the pages in the wrong order.

Question 55

Language intensity refers to the degree to which your language deviates from bland, neutral terms.

Question 56

Of the three words nice, delightful, and enchanting, the word enchanting is the most intense and powerful.

Question 57

Effective speakers learn to mix and match all four modes of delivery within a single presentation.

Question 58

Metaphors are based on alliteration.

Question 59

An impromptu presentation allows you little or no time to prepare or practice.

Question 60

Kathleen Jamieson, author of Eloquence in an Electronic Age, notes that eloquent speakers are poetic but do not disclose their personal experiences and feeling.

Question 61

Unless your topic is solemn or serious, try to smile in order to show your listeners that you are comfortable and eager to share your message.

Question 62

Effective presenters maintain eye contact with audience members 100 percent of their speaking time.

Question 63

Effective facial expressions match the emotional tone of a presentation.

Question 64

There is nothing wrong with occasional filler phrases, such as you know, uh, um, okay, and like, particularly when you're speaking informally or impromptu.

Question 65

People are born either with or without the ability to speak at their optimum pitch.

Question 66

If, when using a microphone, you want to project a soft tone, put your mouth close to the microphone and lower your volume.

Question 67

When the word the comes before the sound of a consonant as in "the apple," it should be pronounced thuh rather than thee.

Question 68

In terms of proper articulation of words, the final consonants that get left off most often are s, z, m, and n.

Question 69

Generally, 180-240 words per minute is an acceptable rate for presentation speaking.

Question 70

A simple change in inflection can alter the meaning of a word or sentence.

Question 71

Listeners perceive presenters who speak at a fast but clear rate as energized, motivated, and interesting.

Question 72

Deep breathing and controlled exhalation enable you to speak more loudly and say more in a single breath

Question 73

The most effective gestures are preplanned.

Question 74

Audience members draw conclusions about a speaker based on their first impressions of the presenter's appearance.

Question 75

Reducing or eliminating the inflection of your voice can help you find your optimum pitch.

Question 76

The article a (as in "a beautiful day") should be pronounced "uh," rather than rhyming with hay.

Question 77

Optimum pitch allows you to produce the strongest and clearest sound with the least amount of strain.

Question 78

Speakers who cannot be heard are a common problem; very rarely is a speaker too loud.

Question 79

Eye contact is crucial to a presentation because it can initiate and control communication between the speaker and audience.

Question 80

In general, when speaking into a microphone put it less than an inch from your mouth to make sure that you will be heard.